On 4 May 2026, Bulgaria AIF subscribed EUR 600,000 in the MREL bond IPO of Central Cooperative Bank, carrying a 7.25% annual coupon. The investment to be reflected in Bulgaria AIF’s portfolio structure in the beginning of June.
Central Cooperative Bank is listed on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange and is included in three of the country’s leading equity indices — SOFIX, BGBX40, and BG TR30. As of 2025, the bank ranks 6th in Bulgaria by total assets and 7th by profit among Bulgarian banks, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s leading financial institutions.
Founded in 1991 and publicly listed since 1999, the bank has steadily expanded its regional footprint across Southeast Europe. In 2007, it opened a branch in Cyprus. In 2008, it acquired North Macedonia’s Sileks Bank, subsequently rebranding it as Central Cooperative Bank (North Macedonia). In 2011, the bank merged Stater Bank into its Macedonian operations and also acquired a controlling stake in AKB Tatinvestbank in Kazan, Russia.
The investment reflects Bulgaria AIF’s continued focus on income-generating financial instruments and portfolio diversification across the Bulgarian financial sector. Alongside banking exposure, the fund has also initiated positions in the REIT and insurance segments, including its first acquired shares in Advance Terrafund, while monitoring the upcoming convertible bond IPO of Boleron (BLRN), expected on 27 May 2026. Accumulating and growing capital remains a key priority for Bulgaria AIF in order to participate in future investment opportunities and new projects, particularly in the real estate sector, which continues to be among the primary areas of interest for the fund’s investors.
